“There is a tendency at this time of the summer (for those of us in the northern hemisphere) to start to cry a little bit about how summer is over!

There are plenty of summer days and summer fun ahead.  I find that there is a good balance between doing a little planning for the best things on your summer wish list and keeping some days just for doing nothing.

And the doing nothing may be an early walk on the beach or in your town under the shade trees, making sure you have time for reading the books on your book list, arranging a little  road trip or get away, collecting some friends or family to do some fun things – going to an outdoor concert, riding a Ferris wheel, taking a complete break from your devices even for a few hours.

You can fly a kite, play miniature golf (my favorite and I am so much better at it than real golf), listen to the cicadas chirping and watching the fireflies emerge at night. And of course, there are fireworks and making lemonade and eating a cold sweet ripe watermelon.

Make your list and feel the delight at doing these simple things. Your summer will then be filled with joy and it will create lovely memories for you and your loved ones before the autumn leaves start to fall.

Share your ideas with us to help inspire others to get our and enjoy life more.

As women, it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget to let go and be playful. In my work as a life coach, I see this all the time among the women I serve:

• we’re overworked
• overstressed
and often…
• putting everyone else’s needs before our own. 😣

But here’s the thing:

We all have had a time in our lives when PLAY was a big part of our day. Now it seems that stress has taken over. You are just one step away from allowing play and joy back in. And that step is to just give yourself permission – to be happy, joyful, relaxed, and have fun.

From dancing by yourself to picking up some crayons and paper and just doodling away, these moments remind us that happiness is really made up of lots of small, memorable experiences that we can cherish along the way.

Where have you found joy and fun lately?

Post some of your ideas to share!

And be sure to get a copy of my book “How to Soar with a Broken Wing: Finding Tiny Moments of Joy Every Day” if you’d love to feel happier, less stressed, and more in charge of YOUR life! https://loom.ly/X96pBfg

Use code JOY2023 for 20% off the book price!

The other night I attended a relaxing and insightful meditation session. The space was calming and inviting – starting with the mint tea and a soft fragrance and music in the background. Exactly what I needed.

During the session, the young woman leading us asked about what did we need right now?  And loud and clear a voice in my head said ‘Ice Cream! A Milk Shake!” I had to laugh to myself – it wasn’t a deep mystical need, but something soothing and yummy that made me smile.  Perhaps it was a message to be more carefree – to be more like my younger self.

After the session ended I was very relaxed and mentioned the need for ice cream. One of the other participants said there was a little ice cream shop just one block away and she was walking in that direction. Ah – manifesting – I love it!  – ask and you shall receive!  We strolled along, chatted and she introduced me to the owner who happily scooped out a cone of butter pecan – I hungrily grabbed the cone and started to enjoy it –  creamy, dense, buttery with just the right amount of pecans.  (I opted not to have the chocolate milkshake I was thinking about so late at night – all that sugar would surely kick in around 1 am so I chose sleep over chocolate.) I wanted to finish my cone by the ocean and decided to drive a short distance to the beach and it was only then that I noticed the paper cover – it said JOY!  I had to laugh and think yes, just like in my book, Joy is all around us if we just look and pay attention.  It was right there in my hand but I didn’t notice it until almost the end.

Today is a great time to look for the joy in your life – it is right there for you, too.

Celebrate International Women’s Day March 8^th – Not Only for What We Do, but for Who We Are

This year, International Women’s Day is on March 8th. This day celebrates women all around the world not only for our achievements in the areas of science, the visual and performing arts, the economy, space travel, the culinary arts, fashion, technology, medicine, manufacturing, business, medicine, teaching, farming, government, taking care of families, being mothers, and in society as a whole. But also, we celebrate women for our strength and our true essence.  It doesn’t matter if we are famous or powerful or a super achiever.  What matters is that we live each day with love for ourselves and others so that we can be the very best we can be.

Make a point to recognize every woman that we meet, regardless of who they are or what they do. Let’s start now by honoring women not only for the things they do for others, but also for who they are as a being.

The theme this year is to Embrace Equity – where we get to stand up against inequity, for inclusion, so that when we do live our lives accepting others, with love, that is when we get to live our lives to the fullest.  And that is when both we, and others, can thrive.

The only thing better than one smart, funny, thoughtful, and powerful woman is more than one together.  Remember no one needs to be alone – there is so much support a, kindness and love around – all we need to do is ask.

Here’s to the women who are changing the world, not just for themselves but for anyone and everyone who wants to live a better life. Happy International Women’s Day! We all contribute to making the world a better place by reaching out and being open – one conversation at a time, one hug at a time, one smile at a time.  This is a perfect time to reflect on how much further we can go in achieving equality and opportunity and for giving more joy for all women around the world.

This year Embrace Equity – where we get to stand up against inequity, for inclusion.